Biography &Qualifications

Dennis is ex-Pro-Vice Chancellor and ex-Dean of Middlesex University Business School and also an Emeritus Professor at Middlesex University. He is also an Honorary Professor of Moscow International Higher Business School (MIRBIS). He has a PhD in Geography and is a long-term member of the Flood Hazard Research Centre and a Director of Middlesex Flood Research Associates Ltd. Originally an economic geographer who developed the first flood damage depth/damage data in Britain, his professional interests expanded into flood and hazard risk management. Although he has a range of research interests, two areas in particular now mark his contribution to flood risk management (i) practical methods for assessing flood loss potential and the benefits of flood risk management and (ii) practical ways of improving the effectiveness of flood warning systems. He has over thirty five years of experience of research and consultancy in these specialist areas which have developed many facets e.g. tropical cyclone warning systems, hazard management in megacities, business continuity planning and emergency planning and management in flood risk areas.

With many years of experience of working closely with engineers and engineering consultancy firms and others in the flood risk management business, he now contributes to the Centre’s research and consultancy projects working as an independent researcher and consultant.

Languages Spoken

English, French (some)

Learning &Teaching Interests

Dennis has supervised a number of successfully completed PhD studentships at Middlesex University and currently contributes on a voluntary basis to PhD supervision by undertaking mock PhD transfer or mock PhD viva voce examinations.

Teaching and learning involvement is now principally associated with several knowledge exchange programmes in which the UK’s and FHRC’s expertise in cost-benefit analysis in the flood risk management and coastal risk management contexts is being transferred to European partners.

Research Outputs &Interests

Dennis’s research interests involve the following areas:

The economic and social impacts of floods and the benefits of flood risk management – the modelling and estimation of flood damages and the benefits of fluvial and coastal flood risk management

Effectiveness of flood, cyclone and severe weather warning systems – the integrity and effectiveness of warning systems in the UK, Europe and overseas

Development and management of natural hazards in large urban areas (e.g. megacities) – the drivers for the amplification of natural hazard exposure and vulnerability and strategies, including spatial planning strategies, for addressing hazards.

The impacts of floods and flood resilience on businesses and their supply chains – understanding the ways in which businesses are adversely affected by floods, their adoption of business continuity planning and the modelling of supply chain impacts

Parker, D.J., Chatterton, J.B., Hick, E. (2014) The Local Economic Impact of the Do Nothing Scenario for Torquay Harbour, Analytical Report prepared for Royal Haskoning and Torbay District Council on the local economic benefits of protecting Torquay Harbour from the effects of storm surge, Royal Haskoning, Exeter

Parker, D.J. (2013) Appraisal of local economic and social benefits of the proposed flood alleviation scheme for Exeter, Analytical Report prepared for Exeter City Council, Engineer’s Department, Flood Hazard Research Centre, Middlesex University

Parker, D. J. and Priest, S. J. 2010 Exploring the potential for pluvial flood warnings with professional responders and the public in England and Wales, Proceedings of the Flash Floods and Pluvial Flooding Workshop, Working Group F Thematic Workshop, ISPRA, 26-28 May 2010, Cagliari, Italy

Parker, D. J. and Tapsell, S. M. (2009) Flood warning service evidence review. Produced under contract from the Environment Agency as a contribution to FWSIP

Parker, D. J. with Ashley, R., Hurley, L and A. Ashman (2008) State of the Nation: Coastal and Flood Risk Management, Report to Institution of Civil Engineers, 7 March. (This report is the underpinning research report for a report published by the Institution of Civil Engineers in June 2008 entitled ‘Flooding: Engineering Resilience’)

Parker, D. J., Tapsell, S. and Priest, S. (2007) Opportunities and constraints in the modelling of the economic impact of flood warnings, ESEE 2007 Integrating Natural and Social Sciences for Sustainability: 7th International Conference of the European Society for Ecological Economics, 5-8 June, Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany

Parker, D.J. and Haggett, C. (2001) The development of flood warning technologies in England and Wales, Proceedings of the International Emergency and Disaster Management Conference (TIEMS), Oslo, Norway, June 2001

Engagement &Impact

Dennis has been consultant to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the United Nations, the European Commission, and the World Meteorological Organisation – all in areas of water or flood management. His consultancy experience extends to France, Australia, Hong Kong, Republic of Mauritius and European Union countries including France, Germany, Eire and the Netherlands as well as to government agencies in Britain. His published output includes 6 books and over 180 research papers.

Recent engagements include:

Expert Research Assessor and Panel Member for NERC, Flood from Intense Rainfall Programme, Towards END-to-End Flood Forecasting and a tool for Real-time catchment susceptibility (TENDERLEY), 2016.

Consultant to the European Medium-Range Weather Forecast Centre, Reading UK, 2015. Assessment of the monetary benefits of the European Flood Awareness System (EFAS)